October 8, 2022 – The Holy Spirit is Calling, Will You Answer?

“He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me;” Ezekiel 2:1-3a

“Have you ever felt God calling or leading you to something that you weren’t sure how you were going to do? Perhaps it’s to start a food bank at your church or to share your faith story. It can be terrifying when God calls us to come and follow. That’s what God did to Ezekiel. “Stand up on your feet. I am sending you.” But here’s the interesting part. Ezekiel didn’t stand on his feet by his own volition. The Spirit entered him and set him on his feet. I find courage and strength in knowing that even as God calls me, I do not go alone. God will always send the Spirit to lead me.”   Luther Seminary devotions, June 29, 2015
Jennifer Beil — St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore.

Trying to start something new at the church is so impossible sometimes that many quit before they even begin. They give up for several reasons usually including, but not limited to: push back from those who say “we tried that before and it just didn’t work”; others who say “we don’t have the money to do that”; and still others who say “we don’t want “those” people in our church”.

It is a daunting task to take on a new ministry. It is hard to fight against history and fear of “new things”. But the church is not static – just like the word of G-d is living and active. And when we answer the call “to follow”, we do not go it alone. The Holy Spirit is always there not only to confirm our calling, but to support us when the “nay sayers” begin to throw up road blocks. And there will be those who try to stop new ministry — out of what they believe are “reasonable words of advice”. But, remember, G-d calls us to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. Anything new, a new ministry, a new program, a new group to serve, a new direction will afflict those who do not like change.

Remember, Ezekiel did not stand up on his own, the Holy Spirit entered into him, stood him up, and said “Off you go”. If you have the Holy Spirit, nothing can or will stand in your way. Oh you may get a lot of push back from those who fear change, but trust the Holy Spirit to fight your battles for you.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you call us to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Give us the strength every day to follow your call. Amen.

Pastor Dave